Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Lafayette, LA: $20.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Lafayette, LA runs $20.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,366 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,423 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the median hourly pay for pharmacy technicians stands at $20.37, which lags behind the national median hourly rate of $23.19. This disparity reflects broader regional economic trends and can affect part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians working in diverse environments such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital clean rooms, and specialty pharmacy compounding areas. For those working part-time at three days per week, with an estimated 24 working hours a week, pharmacy techs can earn a stable income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly range extends from $18.35 for entry-level positions to $25.55 for experienced professionals, illustrating the potential for growth in this career path based on experience and setting.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.35 | $146.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.30 | $154.36 |
| Median (P50) | $20.37 | $162.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.84 | $190.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.55 | $204.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $20.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.37/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, LA can expect to earn approximately $42,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,445. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $814.84 | $3,531 | $42,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $488.90 | $2,119 | $25,423 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $325.94 | $1,412 | $16,949 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Lafayette) | $20.37 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $42,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.17% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 8.10% below the Louisiana state average of $46,100.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.37/hr = $25,423/year (purchasing power: $29,152).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,372/year (purchasing power: $48,586).
CoL index: 87.209 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Lafayette grew 25.4% from $15.41/hr (2019) to $19.32/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.48/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Lafayette
Part-time pharmacy technicians in Lafayette who work around 24 hours a week can expect to earn approximately $25,160 annually, a notable figure compared to a full-time salary. On the per-diem side, opportunities exist with pay rates typically billing between $20 and $32 per hour, and specialized roles in sterile compounding may offer even higher compensation—ranging from $25 to $40 per hour or bundled into contracts providing substantial weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800 for essential staffing in hospitals facing shortages. Different types of employers offer varying hourly rates: retail chains often provide standard rates while specialty and inpatient pharmacies may offer higher wages but come with different work dynamics. Technicians must weigh the benefits of steady employment with health insurance against potentially higher hourly rates that exclude benefits. To optimize compensation, pharmacy technicians in Lafayette can leverage their skills and certifications, like the PTCB or CSPT, to negotiate better pay and job conditions.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Lafayette in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Lafayette?
Are pharmacy technicians in Lafayette paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Lafayette?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Lafayette?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Lafayette. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov